Podcast Summary
Wisdom is not a fixed concept: True wisdom requires engagement with complexity and a deep understanding of life and reality, not easy-to-digest soundbites.
Slavoj Zizek criticizes the oversimplification of wisdom into a fixed, marketable concept. He argues that wisdom is not a static universal definition, but rather a deep understanding of life and reality that requires engagement with complexity. When people reduce wisdom to easy-to-digest soundbites, they risk cutting themselves off from the depth of experience and understanding that true wisdom requires. Instead, Zizek encourages us to examine the ever-changing and evolving nature of the world and our place in it, rather than relying on simplistic common sense. This perspective challenges us to engage with the world in a more meaningful and thoughtful way, rather than seeking easy answers or cosplaying as wise figures. By recognizing the complexity of reality and our place in it, we can begin to truly understand and navigate the challenges we face as individuals and as a society.
Questioning common sense and living with contradictions: Philosophers challenge societal norms and highlight contradictions to promote critical thinking and self-awareness, while postmodern subjects embrace individual meaning and reject fixed identities
Common sense, or the dominant way of thinking during a particular time period, should not be considered the full story. According to philosopher Slavoj Žižek, it's the job of a philosopher to question common sense and point out the cracks in the symbolic edifice that grounds our social stability. These cracks represent the contradictions and tensions in our ideology, and it's the philosopher's job to live within them, question them, and accept that their job is never truly done. The postmodern subject, a term used to describe someone who sees through grand narratives and rejects oversimplified universals that define people's identities in the past, is someone who emphasizes particulars and differences as the opposition to those universals. In today's world, individuals create their own meanings, and the postmodern subject rejects the fixed identities of the past. However, it's important to remember that philosophy, when done well, can make people uncomfortable, and it's in this spirit that the episode aims to challenge postmodernist tendencies.
Postmodern subject's self-creation and expression: Zizek critiques the postmodern way of thinking for fostering a false sense of revolution, moral superiority, and fake humility, while acknowledging the importance of critiquing ourselves and engaging with assumptions to keep society moving forward.
According to Slavoj Zizek, the postmodern subject is characterized by a constant process of self-creation and expression, which can be seen as a resistance against rigid identities of the past. However, this way of thinking also has its own social outcomes, some of which Zizek critiques for fostering a false sense of revolution, moral superiority, and fake humility. Zizek also acknowledges that hierarchical thinking is still present but in retreat due to progress. He emphasizes the importance of critiquing this postmodern way of thinking, which can be seen in various forms, including neoliberal society and figures like Donald Trump. Zizek's critique is not limited to political affiliations, as this postmodern identity can manifest in various ways and places. For instance, Byung Chol Han's work discusses how the disappearance of shared traditions and universals leads people to focus inward and create their identities based on themselves. Overall, Zizek's message is to continue critiquing ourselves and engaging with assumptions to keep society moving forward.
The pursuit of self-worship in a narcissistic society: People in postmodern society find meaning through self-worship, focusing on careers and self-improvement, leading to a disconnect from others and a sense of moral superiority, aligning with capitalist values.
In postmodern society, people often find meaning in their own self-worship due to living in an achievement-oriented society where they focus on their careers, productivity, and self-improvement. This narcissistic identity is fluid and constantly evolving, leading to a disconnect from others and a sense of moral superiority. This mindset aligns perfectly with the values of global capitalism, where identity and value are determined by the market. A notable example of this can be seen in the trend of meditation and contemplative practices, which center around the illusion of the ego and the belief in transcending it, leading some individuals to feel morally superior to others. This inner dialogue of self-importance and false humility is not unique to meditation, but it is a common theme among postmodern subjects.
Postmodern individuals create their own universals despite rejecting them: Postmodernism's rejection of universals can lead to their unintentional creation and perpetuation, hindering genuine change
Some individuals, often identified as postmodern, believe they have achieved unprecedented freedom and moral superiority by embracing the chaos and differences in the world, rejecting universal truths. However, in doing so, they unintentionally create their own universals, such as the belief in coexistence or the rejection of all universals. According to Slavoj Žižek, this is the mistake of postmodernism: by claiming to reject all universals, they end up making the struggle between differences into a universal of its own. This can lead to the recreation of universal thinking and setups, rather than actual change. It's a clever but unfortunate cycle, as some individuals put up a false humility front, denying their own identities while universalizing the notion that none of them are the right answer.
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Desiring things without their essential components: People often desire things that lack the core elements, leading to a superficial understanding and experience of them. Reflecting on this trend can deepen our comprehension of the world.
In today's world, people often desire things that lack the essential components of what they originally represent. Slavoj Žižek uses the examples of decaf coffee and deep ecology to illustrate this concept of "ideology without ideology." In the case of decaf coffee, people want the experience of coffee but remove the main ingredient that makes coffee, well, coffee. With deep ecology, people claim to advocate for the rights of nature, but ultimately rely on humans to fight for those rights. This trend of wanting things without their defining characteristics is prevalent in various aspects of modern life, including consumer goods and social movements. Žižek argues that recognizing and questioning these contradictions can lead to a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it.
Consuming Surface-Level Experiences: The postmodern experience can lead to a lack of understanding and critical awareness, as individuals consume surface-level experiences instead of engaging with the real thing, ultimately resulting in a sense of alienation and susceptibility to ideology
The postmodern experience, as discussed by Gishenk and Zizek, often involves consuming surface-level experiences instead of the real thing, leading to a sense of alienation and a lack of understanding of the broader context. This can manifest in various forms, such as watching streamers instead of playing video games, traveling shows instead of actual travel, or even pornography. These activities provide a sense of satisfaction without requiring deeper engagement or dealing with complex interpersonal dynamics. However, this consumption of raw signifiers without understanding the implications can result in a profound sense of alienation and a lack of critical awareness, making individuals more susceptible to ideology without even realizing it. Additionally, the postmodern tendency towards moderation and avoiding universals can also lead to a lack of progress or even support for the status quo. To avoid this, it's important to critically engage with the world around us and consider the implications of our actions and consumptions.
Detached Spirit of Revolution: People prioritize symbolic gestures and surface-level changes over genuine, risky, and transformative action, leading to issues like political correctness and a lack of real progress
People today often seek "revolution without revolution" – symbolic gestures and surface-level changes rather than genuine, risky, and transformative action. Slavoj Zizek criticizes this detached, disenchanted spirit of revolution, which can be seen in various forms, from superficial activism to a focus on tolerance over concrete economic policy. This trend, Zizek argues, leads to problems like political correctness, which can shield people from the true reality of situations and prevent real progress. An example of this is the use of euphemistic job titles or politically correct language, which can mask the harsh realities of certain situations. Ultimately, Zizek encourages a more radical and engaged approach to change, one that challenges the status quo and demands concrete, structural improvements.
The Dangers of Noble Movements: While striving for inclusivity and equality, movements like cancel culture can unintentionally exclude. Be aware of the potential for movements to devolve into their opposites and the importance of humility in understanding freedom as postmodern subjects.
While the intentions behind movements like cancel culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion may be noble, they can unintentionally exclude those they aim to include. Slavoj Zizek warns that political movements, even those committed to eliminating suffering or promoting equality, have the potential to devolve into their opposites. He emphasizes the importance of being aware of these possibilities and the dangers of becoming overconfident in our understanding of freedom as postmodern subjects. Zizek believes we are free, but the ways we exercise that freedom have changed, and it's crucial to consider what might be needed to change the world if we desire to do so. The future and the fate of global capitalism are also topics of interest for Zizek, which will be explored further in the next episode.